“I can make a mean chicken noodle soup.”
I rub my head, surprised when my fingers come back laced with sweat. “As tempting as that is, I’m a terrible patient, so I’ll brave it alone.”
I open my car door, and she lunges, wrapping her arms around my torso. “Promise me you’ll text. I want an update on how you’re doing.” She lifts up to kiss me, but I turn my head at the right time and her lips graze my cheek.
“I’ll give you an update,” I tell her, then slyly maneuver out of her grip as gracefully as possible and slip behind the wheel. For a moment, I stay there with my hands gripping the leather, trying to calm my heart. It happens almost instantly, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
Peering up, I spot Andrea still by the side of the car, and I nearly jump. She’s just being sweet, but I can’t take it. I give her a quick wave and back up the car, making sure I don’t hit the cameraman, or the mic operator that’s also followed us.
I press on my clothes as I drive through the parking lot, making sure I don’t have any other mics on me. Sometimes they do both, but I was a little late today, so maybe they didn’t have time to hook me up.
Good. I want out of here as soon as possible.
Once I hit the road, a sense of ease slips over me like pulling on my pads before a game. I pull out my phone and place it in the cupholder, briefly checking if Tab has texted, and she hasn’t.
Bummer. Guess I’ll just have to force my way in. Again.
“Hey Siri, text Rapunzel.” I wait for my phone to respond, and then say, “You alive over there? Or did your wardens confiscate your new toy?” I listen to make sure the message is right and then tell my phone to send it.
I take a left to pull up next to Wingate instead of taking a right to head home. Luckily, I find a spot to park nearby where I can see the building. Part of me really wants to just show up at their doorstep. There are two problems with that. One, I’m not supposed to know they’re staying here, and two, Micah wouldn’t appreciate a last-minute drop-in.
Checking my phone again, there’s still nothing. I guess I have to do what I have to do. I crack my knuckles and start texting.
Me: Oh no, have they confiscated the phone? If this is Micah, sorry, bro. I can’t help myself.
Me: She’s just so pretty.
Me: Strong.
Me: Bit of an attitude though. But that’s okay, I can handle it.
I wait a little longer, and she still doesn’t respond. She’s going to give me a complex. I peer up at the building again. There are a lot of glowing windows, but there are just as manythat are dark. She could be sleeping. Or she decided to turn the phone off.
Me: I guess the watch was a waste of money.
Me: *Sings Jeopardy theme song*
Me: Well, since I have the time, let me tell you the story where I got the nickname Big Dick Levi…
Me: But I’m going to send it to you in one word texts.
I chuckle to myself, and pull my shoulders back.
Me: So
Me: this
Me: one
Me: time
Me: at
Me: …
Tab: Bandcamp?
I smirk.Yeah, buddy. I’m in.
